Phil Ivey has been referred to as the number one poker player in the world by most of the top-ranked pros. Phil Ivey was born in Riverside, CA and moved to NJ before his first birthday. His papa introduced him to penny-ante 5-Card Stud poker. From that point on, Phil was addicted to poker and wished to learn everything he possibly could about poker. He routinely told his parents that he was planning on being a professional poker player. He didn’t let the adverse feedback from others annihilate his ambition of becoming one of the strongest poker players in the world.
Phil started competing seriously after acquiring a false ID by the name of Jerome. He honed his techniques at the poker rooms in Atlantic City. The beginning number of years for Phil were a teaching experience and coming away with a win wasn’t a regular thing at the time. Phil made his mark at the 2000 World Series of Poker where he achieved two final tables and won his first World Series of Poker bracelet, in a $2, 500 Pot-Limit Omaha match. At the final table he defeated a number of the well known professionals including "Amarillo Slim" Preston, David "Devilfish" Ulliot, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Phil made a decision to take his skills to the successive level and headed out west to Las Vegas. He continues to participate in in "The Big Game" at the Bellagio with the best players in the world. Phil credits his achievements to hard work and an undying passion for poker. Phil says that he’s picking up skills every single day and is quite abashed about his achievements. Phil admits to making mistakes in each game of poker and constantly strives to improve.
Despite the fact that Ivey has come first in some large tournaments, he favors destroying cash games on a normal basis.
